Para Ordnance, a manufacturer of high-quality firearms previously of Toronto, Canada, is moving its headquarters to Charlotte. The company has leased a new facility in Pineville and it will be moving all manufacturing operations to this location by May 31, 2009.

By the time operations are in full swing, the company expects to fill 35-40 full-time positions, involving mostly skilled personnel for its machining and assembly operations.

According to ParaUSA CEO Thanos Polyzos, the company was interested in establishing a U.S. headquarters in order to qualify for additional military, law enforcement and civilian contracts.

“We considered sites in three or four other states. Charlotte has the quality of life and labor supply we are looking for, plus a central location that makes travel easy,” said Polyzos. “We have been strong corporate citizens in Toronto, and we look forward to a similar relationship in Charlotte.”

Para’s product line has an average retail cost of $850.

Kit Cramer, vice president of economic development for the Charlotte Chamber, worked with the company. Bob McGriff of Jones Lang LaSalle represented Para. Michael Catanese of NAI/Southern Real Estate represented the property.